New Poll Finds Strong Support for Access to High-Quality Pre-K Among Likely PA Voters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 19, 2014

CONTACTS:
Harrisburg: Michael Race (717) 236-5680
Philadelphia: Andrea Mead (215) 805-3746
Pittsburgh: David Caliguiri (412) 613-7266

Philadelphia, PA – As the November election approaches, likely voters in Pennsylvania are demonstrating clear, bi-partisan support for access to high-quality pre-k. According to a recent poll commissioned by Pre-K for PA and conducted by national pollstersLake Research Partners and Bellwether Research & Consulting, a majority of Pennsylvania voters favor access to voluntary, high-quality pre-k programs for every 3– and 4-year old. The poll also revealed that support for pre-k is particularly strong among seniors – 60 percent of whom favor ensuring access to high-quality pre-k.

“This latest poll released today demonstrates the clear recognition among those who will vote in the November election, that pre-k must be part of a viable solution to our education system in Pennsylvania,” said Steve Wray, Executive Director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia – a Pre-K for PA coalition member. “Our research supports what voters are saying – high-quality pre-k is crucial to ensure the right start for our kids and is a sound investment for Pennsylvania taxpayers.”

“What we are seeing around the country in the campaigns of many candidates this election cycle is broad support for access to high-quality pre-k – and no where is that more prevalent than right here in Pennsylvania,” said Celinda Lake, President of Lake Research Partners.

Christine Matthews, President of Bellwether Research & Consulting, added: “This latest research underscores that access to high-quality pre-k for all young children is an issue that has bipartisan support among Pennsylvania voters.”

"Pennsylvanians want smart public policy that gets results and has a strong return on investment, so it shouldn't be surprising that most voters, regardless of party, are increasingly supportive of high-quality pre-k," said Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, one of the founding organizations of the Pre-K for PA campaign. "Given only 1 in 6 of our 3- and 4-year-olds has access to publicly funded high-quality pre-k, it seems voters are willing to seek out candidates who are committed to boosting pre-k access."

A summary of the full poll findings can be viewed on Pre-K for PA’s website here.

Pre-K for PA is an issue campaign supported by thousands of individuals and organizations across Pennsylvania who believe that investing in our children is the right choice and an urgent necessity. Our vision is that every 3- and 4-year-old in Pennsylvania will have access to high-quality pre-k. While the campaign neither endorses nor opposes candidates, it advocates on behalf of this vision for Pennsylvania’s children, schools and communities.